Press
Release

Arthur M. Cummings, II, has been named Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s National Security Branch. Mr. Cummings, a 20-year veteran, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) in the Counterterrorism Division.

“Art Cummings exemplifies the FBI’s national security management team,” said Director Robert S. Mueller, III. “At every level, from street agent to field supervisor to headquarters executive, Art’s career has concentrated on investigating and managing counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations. I am confident he will build on the great foundation laid by his predecessors and successfully lead the FBI’s national security mission into the future”

Mr. Cummings has served in five field offices and in three different positions in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. In the field, he investigated and managed counterterrorism, counterintelligence and various criminal programs. Mr. Cummings also deployed overseas in support of major counterterrorism investigations. A former Navy SEAL, he is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Mr. Cummings was assigned to the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. He played a key role in the reorganization of the counterterrorism program and established the position of Chief of the National Strategic Assessment and Warning Section. He served as chief of the Counterterrorism Operational Response Section, charged with the development and oversight of the FBI's operations in foreign theaters such as Afghanistan. In 2003, Mr. Cummings was assigned as chief of the International Terrorism Operations Section, responsible for the development and management of the FBI strategy and operations directed against al Qaeda and its affiliated organizations and networks.

From November 2004 through December 2005, Mr. Cummings served as Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. This joint intelligence community post is charged with the implementation of comprehensive intelligence reform legislation and the development of a national level counterterrorism strategic operational planning capability.

Before his assignment to DAD, Mr. Cummings served as the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Counterterrorism Division and Intelligence Branch of the Washington Field Office, responsible for counterterrorism operations in the national capital region, as well as investigations of acts of terrorism directed against American citizens and interests overseas.

In recognition of his many accomplishments to date, Mr. Cummings was awarded the 2004 Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service and the 2006 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive.

Mr. Cummings’ appointment follows the retirement of Willie T. Hulon, who, after 24 years with the FBI, accepted a position in the private sector. Yesterday, Mueller hosted a reception for Hulon and his FBI and intelligence community colleagues.

“Throughout his career, Willie’s leadership has been invaluable in so many of our most important investigations – and, most recently, in our continuing evolution into a national security agency,” Mueller said. “Earlier in his career, he led drug, gang, domestic terrorism, and violent crime investigations. He formed and led a multiagency task force that the U.S. Attorney General recognized for the successful prosecution of a Texas prison gang. After overseeing some of the nation’s busiest counterterrorism programs while serving as head of the Detroit Field Office, he came to Headquarters in 2004 to serve as the Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division. For his accomplishments there, he received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award.”

“Willie’s many contributions will continue to serve the FBI and the American people long after he’s gone,” Mueller said.